Education
1986 Master of Arts, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
1976 Bachelor of Science, Art Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
1973 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Textiles, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
1990, 1987, 1984 Arrowmont School of Crafts,Gatlinburg, TN
1987 School of Visual Arts, New York
1981 Appalachian Center for Crafts, Silver Point, TN
Solo Exhibitions
2025 (Solo Show,) Prairie Arts Council’s Lilian Fendig Gallery, Rensselaer, IN Dates pending in 2025.
2023 “Found Objects: New Stories, Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Lafayette, IN
2021 NICHES Exhibition, Preservation & Art “Featured Artist”, Opera House Gallery of Contemporary Art, Delphi, IN
2020 “A Show of Hands”, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Galleries, Lafayette, IN September-October 2020 [https://youtu.be/uRvdMMknwk4]
2019 “Goddesses, Totems, and Other Investigations”, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Galleries, Lafayette, IN, September 2019.
2018 "Legacies" Solo Show, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, September 23 - November 4, 2018
2013 “Objects of Contemplation: Rural Hybrids,” Indiana University Northwest Contemporary Gallery, Gary IN
2012 “Natural Selection”, Southern Shore Art Association Gallery, Michigan City, IN
2010 “About Place”, South Suburban College, South Holland, IL
“Celebrating Place: Winter Harvest”, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Galleries, Lafayette, IN
2000 “Artist of the Month of October”, Greater Lafayette Museum of Art, Lafayette, IN
1998 “Exploring the Art Basket,” Lilian Fendig Gallery, Carnegie Center, Rensselaer, Indiana
1997 “Sticks, Stones, and Bark, Indigenous Baskets,” Solo Exhibit, 18 Artists Gallery, Chesterton Indiana
1993 “Solo Display of "Hostile Sanctuary II", Indianapolis Museum of Art's Indiana Now Exhibition which displays work of the Indiana Artist featured in Arts Indiana's Portfolio Section, June 1995 issue (invitational)
“Bonnie Zimmer, Solo Exhibition”, Goshen College Art Gallery, Goshen, Indiana. (invitational)
Permanent Collections
Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette, Indiana
Brauer Museum of Art, American Collection, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana
Wabash College Art Museum Collection, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana
Evansville Museum of Arts, HIstory & Sciences, Evansville, Indiana
Selected Honors
2024 Major Award, the Leslie Denmark Memorial Award, 81st Annual Salon Show, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
2024 Top Award of Merit, 30th Annual Juried Exhibition, Art Barn School of Art. Valparaiso, IN
2023 Award of Merit, Juried Art Exhibition, Art Barn School of Art, Valparaiso, IN
2022 Helen V. Surovek Award (2nd place), 79th Salon Show, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
2022 Award, Chesterton Women’s Club Art Show, Chesterton Art Center, Chesterton, IN
2021 ArtPrize, $500 Awarded by the public, Grand Rapids, MI
2021 Award of Merit, Juried Art Exhibition, Art Barn School of Art, Valparaiso, IN
2020 Award of Merit, 77th Annual Salon Show South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
2020 Award, Indiana Artist Club Members Exhibition, Marian University Art Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
2017 Best of 3-D, Illiana Artist 17th Juried Exhibition Chesterton Gallery, Chesterton, IN
2016 Award of Merit, INDIANA NOW, Juried Exhibit, Art Museum of Lafayette, Lafayette, IN
2016 Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, IN
2016 Martin Luther King Service Award, Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, IN
2015 Top Award: Helen V. Surovek Memorial Award 72nd Annual Salon Show, South Shore Arts Munster, IN
2015 Award, Indiana Artists Club Member Juried Exhibit, Indianapolis Museum of Art
2014 Award of Merit, INDIANA NOW, Juried Exhibit, Art Museum of Lafayette, Lafayette, IN
2012 John Corey Arts Leadership Award, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Bravo for the Arts, Lafayette, IN Service to Prairie Arts Council and regional arts education through Regional School Art Exhibitions.
2012 Award of Distinction, 68th Annual Salon Shows, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
2011 Award of Distinction, 67th Annual Salon Shows, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
2009 Gardner Memorial Award, 66th Annual Salon Show, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
2008 Best of 3-D, Art Comp 08, Chesterton Gallery Chesterton
2008 Distinguished Fellow Award, Art Education Association of Indiana, French Lick, IN
2007-8 TAF Individual Artist’s Project Grant to create collaborative “ORBS” Outdoor Sculpture Project
2007 “ORBS”, Sculpture Installation and Residency in ARTSPARK, Indianapolis Arts Center, Indianapolis
2005 Outstanding Volunteer Leader, Annual Indiana Leadership Awards, Indiana Arts Alliance
2001 Individual Artist Grant, Indiana Arts Commission, Indianapolis, IN
1998 Selected one of six Indiana Artists to create ornament for the 1998 White House Christmas Tree, Washington, DC
1998 Western Region Art Educator of the Year (17 states), National Art Education Association, National Convention, Chicago, Illinois
1997 Indiana Art Educator of the Year and Indiana Secondary Art Educator of the Year, Art Education Association of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, State Convention
1997 Featured Artist, The Artistry of Baskets, Artlink Contemporary Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Invitational exhibition showing work by 30 artists.
1996 Artist's Fellowship, Greater Lafayette Museum of Art, Lafayette, Indiana
1996 Award of Excellence, “Earth Inspired”, Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University
1995 Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship to study contemporary Northwest Coast Native American artists of Ketchikan, Alaska and produce a new body of art work in response to the experience.
1993 Indiana Craft Artist, Solo show in Indiana Arts Commission Offices, Indiana Government Center, Indianapolis, Indiana to celebrate the Year of American Craft
1992 Master Fellowship in Crafts, Indiana Arts Commission, Indianapolis, Indiana
1991 Delegate to Japan. AEAI's cultural Exchange with Joetsu Art Association, Joetsu, Japan.
1990 Juror's Award (Juror, Richard Hunt) 47th Salon Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Munster, Indiana
1989 Museum Guild Purchase Award (top honors), Mid- States Craft Exhibition, Evansville Museum of Arts and Science, Evansville, Indiana
1987 Master Fellowship in Crafts, Indiana Arts Commission, Indianapolis, Indiana
1987 Edwin L. Mills Service Award for outstanding Support and Promotion of the Arts in Northwest Indiana, Gary Post Tribune, Gary, Indiana. Awarded for founding the outstanding and high profile visual arts program, Hebron Elementary School.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024
IN the Abstract, invitational show featuring 31 norther Indiana artists, Indiana State Museum. March 9 - June 23.
Spirit of the Dunes: Shifting Sands, featuring Dunes Artist in Residence and invited “nature” artists. South Shore Arts, main gallery, Center for the Visual & Performing Arts.
“Nature’s Palette”, Women’s Caucus for Art, virtual exhibition.
2023
Indiana Artists Club Juried Exhibition, Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfelds, April - May, 2023
Art Barn School of Art, Juried Exhibition, Valparaiso, IN, April - May, 2023
Prairie Arts Council, Member Exhibition, Lilian Fendig Gallery, Rensselaer, IN April - June, 2023
2022
Small Wonders, Juried traveling exhibition of small textiles by the Handweavers Guild of America. Will travel the US until 2023.
Recycle, Repurpose, Reimagine: The Poetry of the Found Object, Midwest Museum of American Art, Elkhart, IN April 15 - July 10, 2022
2021
EVERY 1, members exhibit 2021, National Basketry Organization, Virtual Exhibition
78th Annual Salon Show, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN September 13 - November 6, 2021
Master Teacher, Master Artist, Invitational Exhibition, Lilian Fendig Gallery, Rensselaer, IN October 7 - November 6
ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI September 16 - October 3, 2021
89th Annual Indiana Artists Club Juried Exhibition, Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, April 2 - May 29
2020
77th Annual Salon Show, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN November 21 - January 24, 2021 (Merit Award)
Indiana Artist Club Members Annual Exhibition, Marian University Art Gallery, Indianapolis, IN (Third Prize)
88th Annual Juried Exhibition, Indiana Artist Club, Indianapolis, IN (VIRTUAL EXHIBITION)
Members in Print 2, A Juried Exhibition, National Basketry Organization Publication
2019
Deconstruction/Reconstruction, Small Group Show Curated by Bonnie; Tippecanoe Arts Federation, July
NAEA Member Exhibition, juried; National Art Education Association, Alexandria, Virginia
87th Annual Juried Exhibition, Indiana Artist Club, Indianapolis, IN (VIRTUAL EXHIBITION)
Members in Print, A Juried Exhibition, National Basketry Organization
59th Mid-States Art, Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, Evansville, IN
Chesterton Women's Show, Chesterton Art Center, June 2019. Award
2018
75th Annual Salon Show, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
86Th Annual Juried Exhibition, Indiana Artist Club, Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, Indianapolis, IN
Chesterton Women's Show, Chesterton Art Center, June 2018 Award.
2017
Featured Artists in September: Bonnie Zimmer & Dana Zier, Celebrating INDIANA ARTISTS 100TH Anniversary, Opera House Contemporary Gallery, Delphi, IN
Illiana Artists 17th Biennial Juried Show, Chesterton Art Gallery, Chesterton, IN (Best in 3-D Award)
Rural Contemplations II, Doris B.Myers & Bonnie Zimmer, Heartland Artists Gallery, Plymouth, IN July 6-29.
Teachers As Artists, SoupHerb Gallery, Greenfield, IN March 8-May 30. (Best of 3-D Award)
2016
Indiana Artist Club Member Exhibition, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette, IN (Award)
Rural Contemplations, Doris B.Myers & Bonnie Zimmer, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Galleries, Lafayette, IN
Indiana Now 2016, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette, IN (Award)
2015
72nd Annual Salon Show, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN (Best of Show: Helen J. Surovek Memorial Award)
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, oh my! Lafayette and West Lafayette, IN, presented by the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. 35 Bears decorated by selected artists, on display throughout the cities for the summer.
83rd Annual Juried Exhibition of the Indiana Artists’ Club, Indianapolis Museum of Art (Jury Prize of Distinction)
Annual Saint Joseph’s College Art Faculty & Senior Exhibition, Lilian Fendig Gallery, Prairie ArtsCouncil, Rensselaer, IN
Natural Places, A Niches Anniversary Celebration, Purdue’s Fountain Gallery, Lafayette, IN
RESET: a new generation. Saint Joseph’s College Art Faculty & Student Exhibition, Wells Cultural, Community Center, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Galleries, Lafayette, IN
2014
INDIANA NOW, Juried Exhibit, Art Museum of Lafayette, Lafayette, IN (Merit Award
21st Annual Juried Art Exhibit of the Jasper Arts Center, Jasper, In
Montana Meets Indiana, Invitational Small Group Show, Blue Sky Gallery, Billings, Montana
2013
In Harmony With Nature or Not…Doris Myers & Bonnie Zimmer, Chesterton Gallery, Chesterton, IN
20th Anniversary Invitational Exhibition, (45 artists) Lilian Fendig Gallery, Prairie Arts Council, Rensselaer,
Under Indiana Skies, Jasper County Art League Member Show, Thorntown Arts Center, Thorntown, IN
In Harmony With Nature? New work by Doris Myers, MaryAnn Van Soest, Dana Zier & Bonnie Zimmer, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Gallery, Lafayette, IN
Art Mix, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Gallery, Lafayette, IN (Invitational)
2012
Chair-ity, Exhibition & Sale, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette, IN (Invitational)
State of Mind: New Work by SJC Faculty and Students, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Gallery, Lafayette, IN
Art Mix, Tippecanoe Arts Federation Gallery, Lafayette, IN (Invitational)
Trashion II Fashion from recycled materials, Indiana Visitors’ Center, Hammond, IN
2011
Trashion I Fashion from recycled materials, Indiana Visitors’ Center, Hammond, IN
In Harmony with Nature, New Work by Doris Myers & Bonnie Zimmer, (August-Sept) Lilian Fendiig Gallery, Rensselaer, IN
2010
From the Woods & Beyond II, Recent Work by Doris Myers & Bonnie Zimmer, Atrium Gallery, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN
Greening of the Arts, Assoc. for Wolf Lake, Hammond, IN
Go-figure, Invitational, Fundraiser Exhibition & Sale Lafayette Museum of Art, Lafayette, IN
Trash to Treasure, Art from Recycled Materials, Indiana Visitors’ Center, Hammond, IN (annual participation 2000-2010)
2009
Purdue Alumni Show, Patty & Rusty Rueff Gallery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Recent Work, Saint Joseph’s College Faculty & Students, Tippecanoe Arts Fed. Lafayette, IN
2008
Salon Show, South Shore Arts Center, Munster, INJuried
2007
Naturally Speaking, Judy Dominic & Bonnie Zimmer, Indianapolis Arts Center, Indianapolis
2006
Salon Show, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, IN (juried)
2005
Contemporary Women Artists, Lafayette ArtMuseum
From the Woods and Beyond, Bonnie Zimmer & Doris Myers, Two person show, Wells Center, Tippecanoe Arts Fed., Lafayette
Whispers to Shouts, Indiana Women Who Create, Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN (Invitational)
Four Woman Show (Invitational) Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
Images by the Jasper County Art League, Wells Center, Lafayette, IN
2003
Transition, IUN Gallery for Contemporary Art, Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN (invitational)
18th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN
2002
59th Annual Salon Show, NIAA Center for Visual &Performing Arts, Munster, IN Jurors Award, Richard Hunt, Juror
Chesterton Women’s Show, Chesterton, Indiana (juried/
2001
Regional '01, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis,
A Shared Journey: Confronting Cancer Through Art, Greater Lafayette Museum of Art, Juror, Hollis Siglar (juried)
2000
Magic & Ritual, Menorahs & Hanukkiahs, Rosen Gallery Museum, Boca Raton, Florida,.
Art Comp 2000, Chesterton Art Gallery, Chesterton, IN
57th Annual Salon Show, NIAA Center for Visual & Performing Arts, Munster, IN (juried/AWARD)
1999
Two Person Exhibition, New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, New Harmony, Indiana, (juried)
Tea Bowl: Imperfect Harmony, International Travelig Exhibition:
Nola Eccles Harrison Museum of Art,
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Ota City, Japan
University of Illinois, Champaign
Electronic Gallery, NAEA Convention, Los Angeles, CA
1998
Midwest Sculpture Exhibition, South Bend Regional Museum of Art (juried)
Regional Biennial, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana. (juried)
1997
Fellowship Exhibition, Greater Lafayette Museum of Art, Lafayette, IN
Electronic Gallery, NAEA Electronic Gallery, New Orleans, LA (juried)
1996
Myers' Legacy: Illusion, Function, Form. Special exhibition featuring art by family members.
Earth Inspired, Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso, University
1994
Mid States Craft Exhibition, Evansville Museum of Arts and Science, Evansville, IN
Grand Wabash Juried Exhibition, Wells Community Center, Lafayette, Indiana
1993
Artforms '93, Greater Lafayette Museum of Art, Lafayette, Indiana (juried)
Breaking Textile Traditions, Indiana University Textiles Department and Waldren Arts Center, Bloomington, Indiana (invitational).
1991
Regional Artists Biennial, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana (juried).
Natural/Synthetic. Wabash College Art Gallery, Crawfordsville, Indiana (three person invitational).
Mid States Craft Exhibition, Evansville Museum of Arts and Science, Evansville, Indiana. (juried
Infinity of Form: Indiana Fiber Art, Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana (invitational featuring ten Indiana fiber artists).
Basketry From All Directions, Arrowmont School of Crafts Gallery, Gatlinburg, Tennessee (juried)
1990
Indiana Directions '90, Indianapolis Art League, Indianapolis, Indiana (juried).
Two Person Exhibition, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, Indiana
1989
Mid-States Craft Exhibition, Evansville Museum of Arts and Science, Evansville, Indiana (juried).
Fantastic Objects, Greater Lafayette Musuem of Art, Lafayette, Indiana (three person invitational).
Curators' Choice: Indiana, Opening exhibition for the new Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Northern Indiana Arts Association, Munster, Indiana (invitational).
1988
The Art of Craft, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, Illinois, sponsored by the Textile Arts Center, Chicago, Illinois (invitational).
5th Biennial Michiana Regional, Century Art Center, South Bend, Indiana (juried).
Artforms '88, Greater Lafayette Museum of Art, Lafayette, Indiana (juried).
1987
Fiber Celebrated '87, Northern Arizona University Gallery, Flagstaff, Arizona (juried).
Fiber Structure National V, Downey Museum of Art, Downey, California (juried).
Fellowship Exhibition, New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, New Harmony, Indiana. Exhibition of work by 1987 Indiana Arts Commission Fellowship Artists.